The Ring pt. 3
James:
When James returned to the dorm his practice robes were soaked by the afternoon rain and he wished for nothing more than some dry clothes and a good night's sleep. Opening the door he saw Sirius sitting on his bed messing with a small silver object.
“So you're in a better mood then?” James asked, looking around at the three empty beds. “Where are Pete and Remus?”
“Pete’s in the shower, and I don’t know where Remus is,” Sirius said, still playing with the little object in his hand.
“He didn’t tell you where he was going?” he asked, peeling off his wet robes.
“Nope”
“So you’re telling me that Remus, who was doing his favorite activity, in his favorite spot, in his favorite weather, just got up and left without a word,” James pointedly asked as he finished buttoning his flannel PJ shirt (red and gold, obviously).
James turned to look at Sirius, who was still looking down at the silver thing in his hand. Taking in Sirius's silence, James crossed the room and sat on the far corner of Sirius’s bed, his feet pulled up under him.
“Sirius, did something happen between you two?”
“Yes,” Sirius responded, still not looking up at James.
“What happened?” James asked softly, trying to copy his mom’s gentle voice. Man, he really was turning into a mom.
“Well, earlier when I stormed in here and almost hit you with the door, sorry about that by the way, I was looking for something. It was -is- a really important gift for someone. When I realized it went missing I panicked. I came in here tearing the room apart. Remus asked what I was doing so I told him. He asked what I was looking for and I told him it was a silver ring.” Sirius held out a silver ring to James. James took it gently, rolling it over between his fingers and handing it back. He’d seen that ring before on two different people’s hands. Only one of them sat before him now.
“Well, then Remus stands up and says something about me not remembering. I ask him what he’s talking about. He then pulls the ring from his trouser pocket and holds it out to me telling me he had it. I asked him where he got it and he just stood there like I cursed him or something. So, I asked him again and then he shoved the ring in my hand and ran off. Then Peter came in and asked why Remus was hauling ass out of the dorm, and I yelled at him to bugger off.” Sirius finished off looking back down at his bedding and the ring.
“So you really don’t remember then?” James asked softly, still looking at Sirius. After the first week passed James was sure that Sirius must have remembered since he hadn’t said anything.
“Remember? Clearly, if I remembered whatever the hell Remus was talking about I wouldn’t be in this situation,” snapped Sirius.
“The quidditch after party? You and Remus had a conversation?”
“Mate, I have no bloody clue what you're talking about.”
“You were quite drunk,” James said mostly to himself.
“Yes, well, get on with it. What stupid thing did I do?”
“It wasn’t stupid per se. Remus was sitting in the windowsill and you sat across from him doing your usual drunk flirting. You then gave him the ring. It looked like he tried to give it back, but you were not having it. Then Mary called you back to the dance floor and you kissed her.”
“You were drunk too. How do you know that is what really happened?”
“Mate, the only thing I was drunk on was victory. It was the night before our next game. You know I don’t drink on game nights. Besides, he’s been wearing the ring since you gave it to him.” James said, watching the puzzle pieces falling into place in Sirius’s brain.
“I messed up.”
“Yes, you did.”
“James, can I fix this?” Sirius asked, looking up at James with sadness written all over his face.
“I don’t know, mate. Remus is the only one who can give you that answer.” James said with a tiny smile hoping Sirius would get the hint.
“I need to find Remus,” Sirius half shouted, jumping off his bed. With the ring in hand, Sirius softly closed the door behind him. However, James could hear the sound of Sirius barring down the steps toward the common room.
“That bloody fool,” he said with a laugh
“What?” Pete asked, stepping out of the bathroom towel drying his hair.
“Nothing, Pete. Just a man too blinded by love to even see it's there.”
“Um, okay?”